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The Child Advocacy Center’s annual Blue Jean Ball is a favorite event for many in the community. This year the event has a few new things to offer to up the excitement and celebratory mood. It will be the same great cause and exciting auction but with many new aspects that reflect the passion that the center brings to the event. Jennifer Taft, co-chair for the event, explains this excitement and love by saying “Knowing that I’m spending my time giving back to such a great cause [is rewarding]. The Child Advocacy Center provides a wonderful service to our community and being able to help support their mission is very rewarding. Planning this year’s event has been a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see it all come together.”

This year there are many new things to look forward to. There is a new theme: The 50s. Attendees can come in comfortable blue jeans or their favorite 50s theme attire. “We’ll have a DJ, photobooth fun and yummy 50s diner-inspired food. The Rogue Rollergirls will be there helping us to show off our auction items and this year for the first time we’ll be doing a live auction that we’re really excited about. DQ is one of our fabulous sponsors who has graciously agreed to donate ice cream and toppings, so we’ll have ice cream sundaes like a 50s soda shop. Valley Auto World is lending us a red and white 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Straight Drive V8 to be parked out front and for people to have their pictures taken with.” Taft said.

The Child Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization that focuses on assisting children through the traumatic experience of dealing with abuse. All proceeds from the Blue Jean Ball go to support this effort. One way in which they raise money is through their traditional, and now also, the new live auctions. Ginny Deffendall, who is also a co-chair for the event, explains that this year the auction has changed. In addition to now having a live auction, the traditional painted chairs will no longer be the only thing auctioned off. “Anyone can still donate the painted chairs, but those are not the focus this year,” she said. “We really want to incorporate the best that Fayetteville has to offer.”

There is a wide variety of things to be auctioned off this year. There is everything from a condo at Myrtle Beach for a week to pet boarding to teeth whitening, to tickets for a FireAntz game or a UNC Basketball Game.

There will also be a separate chaperoned party for children. The kids are also encouraged to dress up in 50s-inspired attire for their soda shop themed party. There will be a separate DJ for the kids’ party and also a photobooth they are sure to enjoy. The youth party is recommended for fifth through eighth graders and an adult must accompany them.

The Blue Jean Ball will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Highland Country Club, 2381 Raeford Rd. For more information or to purchase tickets go online to childadvocacycenter.com or call 486-9700. Youth Tickets are $30 each and adult tickets are $60 each.

Photo: While decorated chairs play a part in the auction at the Blue Jean Ball each year, this year offers more than fancy seating.